1847 Cover Census

Developed & Supported by Mark Scheuer. Based on the work of Thomas J. Alexander.
Dedicated to the memory of Creighton Hart and Susan McDonald.
Feedback, additions, and corrections most welcome. Please send to: markscensus@uspcs.org

5c Red Brown (1). Block of four, beautiful bright Red Brown shade, ample to large margins except close to just touched at bottom right, small scissors-cut between left pair, tied by red square grid cancels, matching "New-York Oct. 27" circular datestamp on front panel (rebacked with letter) addressed to Montreal, Canada, ms. "9" pence Canadian due rate, left pair has very faint filing crease VERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTRAORDINARY USE OF THE 5-CENT 1847 BLOCK FOR DOUBLE RATE TO CANADA. We know of three blocks used on covers, including a block of five on transtlantic cover to England (ex Bechtel), a block of four used from Fredonia N.Y. (ex Knapp, Ishikawa) and this block to Canada. Off-cover blocks are also extremely rare. This cover was the highlight of our 1977 sale of the Paul C. Rohloff collection, where it was described as "a phenomenal 1847 showpiece of the highest order of rarity." Also featured in Richard B. Graham's

Great Stamps Make Greater Covers" series in The American Philatelist (Oct. 1977) and illustrated in Bakers' U.S. Classics (p. 140). Ex Waterhouse, Emerson, West, Dick, Rohloff and Kapiloff. Scott lists but does not price a block on cover (off-cover at $27,500.00)